Helpful hints and friendly notes from the world-acclaimed photography instructors at BetterPhoto.com

October 03, 2006

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS AND MORE IN ITALY

I've just returned from Italy, Tuscany and Umbria, from yet another wonderful adventure. As many times as I've been there, I keep finding new and interesting things to photograph, and meeting more and more friendly people. But there are dangers to consider in Italy: the cats and dogs in the street - they are vicious, unpredictable animals!!! This picture proves that point. OK, so many I provoked the little kitty by playing around with it atop the car - but I certainly wasn't expecting it to jump on my shoulder and head! Needless to say my partner was quick with his camera and we got a funny picture from the experience.

Cat Attack, Italy.

On a more serious note, there is such value in returning to the same places, time and again, during different light, different seasons. You see the same familiar doors and lanes, and fields, but the light is always different, and the colors change throughout the year on the landscape. You also encounter different events - such as the one in Lucignano celebrate Memories of the Past. This musician was great - and he had such a classic look and natural pose. I couldn't miss on getting a great picture of him while playing at the event.

We spent more time at twilight, too, looking at the villages after the tourist crowds has disbursed to their hotels and restaurants, and found many places very interesting by twilight and artificial lamplight. This square in Cortona is a great example of the value of working the edges of day and night. The pictures from before showing it in daylight pale compared to the rich colors of the twilight image. So it pays to go back to a location, if you can, - even the local park or town center where you live, and view it under different conditions of light, weather, and with a set of fresh eyes.